When I got orders to deploy to Iraq I had to ask several people to get a good idea of what extra gear I should take in addition to the unit deployment checklist, that would make my trip and deployment a little easier.  There wasn't one person or place that I could go to quickly find what additional deployment items I needed.  Once I figured out what I needed I had to visit several places to purchase all the gear I had on my personal checklist.

While this isn't all inclusive, it is based off what I ended up taking and what I wished I had taken.  I also got input from several friends who all have multiple deployments under their belts.  Hopefully this will be a useful resource that helps you figure out what you figure out and find what you need to put together your personal pre-deployment checklist.

If you find you're maxed out with all your deployment and personal gear, consider putting the stuff you won't need while traveling in a pre-addressed box and mailing it to yourself.

Brigade Quartermasters and MilitaryClothing.com both have a large selections of tactical gear. They ship to APO/FPO and I've never had, or heard of, any problems with them shipping in CONUS or the AOR. 

If you're looking for just about any electronic equipment (external hard drives, thumb drives, cameras etc.) TigerDirect.com is another really good company that ships to APO/FPO.  I got several items from them before and during deployment without any issues.

You may be limited by unit requirements, but I deployed with a Sea Bag, a Flyers Kit Bag, and a 3 Day Backpack.  The Sea Bag contained things (extra uniforms, socks, 782/TA-50 gear etc.) that I wouldn't need until I got into the AOR.  You may get delayed a few days enroute (we did) so keep your sleeping bag on top for easier access if you need it.  Vacuum packing your clothing will help you save to lot of space.  Also, if you mark your bag on the side and bottom (I used red duct tape) so it stands out it will be easy to find among hundreds of other bags.  The Marines and Sailors who had the rolling duffel bags had an easier time moving all their trash, but I managed to get by with a standard issue Sea Bag.

Anything that I couldn't cram in the Sea Bag (flak jacket, canteens, helmet etc.) went in the Flyers Kit Bag.  It has a zipper, making access easier. I kept my poncho liner and other items I thought I might need enroute on top.  (We got delayed in Kuwait over night and I ended up needing my poncho liner)

A colleague recommended I purchase a 3 day expandable backpack to use as my carry-on bag.  What ever you purchase, make sure the bag has a waist support strap and is very solidly made.  I purchased a "Bug Out" bag which doubled as a field pack in country.  All your travel items (iPod, camera, shaving gear, extra skivvies and socks, towel, Gortex parka, travel pillow etc.) should be packed here.  Make sure you water proof everything in Zip Loc bags, including shampoo, to prevent leakage.

Here's the list (click on the links below to view the items).

Backpack:  My carry-on bag was the BUGOUT GEAR THREE DAY PACK . It was durable and provided plenty of room for everything I needed to carry into the AOR.  If you are traveling once you're in country the bag should be able to double as an assault pack.  I lived out of mine for up to 7 days in the field on several occasions.  The BUGOUT GEAR® LONG RANGE BAG also has a really good reputation. Brigade Quartermasters has a good selection of carry-on/backpacks.

Sea Bag/Duffel Bag: You should be able to travel with up to three Bags, so one should be a Large Duffel Bag .  When empty you can load it in another bag for easy storage.  It would have been much easier moving all my gear if I had something with wheels. The MONSTER ON WHEELS DUFFEL BAG holds a ton of gear and I'm told it is good to go.  You may also want to consider The PELICAN® PROTECTOR CASES™ MODEL 1660 DEPLOYMENT CASE .  They are a little expensive, but are supposed to be indestructible. 

Flyers Kit Bag:  Also called the Parachute Cargo Bag is a relatively inexpensive option that provides enough space and easy access should you need it.  Easy to store as it folds up and doesn't take up much space.

Helmet Bag: A Helmet Bag is a useful item if you've got more than you can carry in your backpack or you think you might need something smaller to carry once you're in country.  I had enough space in my carry on to include this and kept all my important stuff in it. 

Tactical Laptop Case: If you're taking a computer (DVD playing) or a portable DVD player you may want to consider a TACTICAL LAPTOP CASE . In addition to protecting your laptop/DVD player in has plenty of extra storage for additional gear. Pelican makes a HARD COMPUTER PROTECTOR CASE  if you're looking for a lot of extra protection for your electronic equipment.

Rigger's Belt: A heavy duty RIGGER'S BELT  will stay secure on your body and is capable of supporting a drop leg holster and other equipment.  The Marine Corps issue martial arts belt would not stay secure or support my pistol holster.  Worth the investment.

Drop Leg Holster: I used the BLACKHAWK OMEGA® VI ULTRA UNIVERSAL MODULAR LIGHT HOLSTER  which I found really effective outside the FOB. As many of you know you can get your PPE on and off without removing your side arm which is a big plus.  If you are looking for something else, Militaryclothing.com has a good variety of TACTICAL PISTOL HOLSTERS  to choose from. 

Shoulder Holster: If you are on a FOB and don't have to wear your PPE all the time you may want to consider a Military Shoulder Holster  in addition to your tactical holster. 

Parachute (550) Cord: Has 1001 uses and is one of the most useful items you'll take on deployment.  Put 20-30ft of 550 CORD in your survival kit. Great for dummy cording items, lashing, boot laces, tent lines, fishing line etc. 

100 MPH Tape: AKA riggers tape.  Another really useful item that can be used for just about anything. 100 MPH TAPE sticks to just about anything and is great for repairs on the fly. 

Bungee Cords: BUNGEE CORDS were useful to secure my sleeping bag to my pack and used to secure my pack to the outside of vehicles while traveling in the AOR.

Utility Tool: A GERBER  or LEATHERMAN  is a must for your survival kit and will open almost anything.  Provides you a mini tool kit for on the spot repairs.  Keep one on you at all times.

Folding Knife: A good quality knife with a strong blade is another must have. Both BENCHMADE and GERBER make excellent quality knives.

Bandanna/Battle Dressing: A good sized BANDANNA or BATTLE DRESSING can be worn to cover your mouth and nose and limit the amount of sand you inhale during movement and sand storms.

Balaclava:  You'll find this very useful in the winter.  Doubles as a watch cap to help save space.  A BALACLAVA is also very useful when riding exposed as a vehicle crewman to cover your nose and mouth. 

Tactical Gloves: Depending on your mission make sure you have a good pair of TACTICAL GLOVES that allow maximum dexterity while protecting your hands.

Flashlight:  A MINI-MAG LITE is a very good general purpose tactical flashlight that doesn't take up much space.  If your looking for something with more candle power then a SureFire® flashlight is the way to go. If you're looking for something else Brigade Quartermasters has over 90 different TACTICAL FLASHLIGHTS . 

LED Micro-light: A small clip mounted personal light is another must for deployment. You should keep a MICRO-LIGHT on your belt loop at all times during deployment.  

Head Light: HEADLAMPS are good if you need to keep your hands free for a long periods of time.

Lightstick: Good to have 5-6 LIGHTSTICKS in case you need emergency lighting or for signaling.  Keep at least one 12 hr light in your survival kit and make sure you have one close by anytime you travel.  It is a good idea to keep them close by in your quarters and work space in case you lose power.

ID Holder/Tactical WALLET:  You'll need an ID holder that can either be hung around your neck or worn on your arm during your time on the FOB. The SPEC.-OPS.® NECK / ID WALLET is a good combination.  Bugout gear makes a ARM BAND ID WALLET .  You'll also want to consider a TACTICAL WALLET to store your critical items such as orders, credit cards, checks etc.

Laundry Bags:  You'll need laundry bags to stow and carry your laundry to the laundry point.  Take at least two so you can have one at the cleaners and use the other to keep your dirty laundry in. I recommend you take something other than white so you can quickly pick your bag out of a croud.

Water proofing:  Make sure you water proof everything.  Part of your basic gear should always be in waterproofing or in contractor trash bags.   You can pack each group of items and suck the air out with a vacuum in order to save space.  Make sure you waterproof everything small including your shaving kit in order to prevent leak damage if something breaks. You can't go wrong taking several Ziploc Bags.

Ditty Bags/Carry Pouches: Ditty Bags are good for organizing your shaving gear, laundry and other small items. Carry Pouches and Pocket Organizers are good when your on the move or traveling to store flashlights, map pens, money etc.

Sunglasses/Eye Protection:  UV eye protection is a must.  Brigade Quartermasters has a huge selection of UV/Ballistic eye wear .   

Camelbak: Both Blackhawk and Camelbak make good tactical hydration systems if you don't want to use a gov't issue one. 

Sewing Kit: You'll probably end up making a few clothing repairs while deployed so you'll want to pack a sewing kit . Soldiers may also want to pack an ACU Repair Kit as well.

Sandals:  Make sure you bring a good pair of sandals that can double as shower shoes. Buy something you would wear at the beach and outside. The shower shoes sold at the exchange will not hold up outside on gravel etc.

Energy Bars: Good size for travel and for your survival kit.  Energy Bars are good choices if you need something quick.

PT Gear:  Don't forget your running shoes.  As you'll have limited access to laundry you should bring PT Gear that wicks away moisture and dries quickly so you can use it in between laundry runs.  

Civilian Clothing:  Take a maximum of two days change of clothes. Remember they'll be stored most of the time, but you'll need something you can wear on R&R or home if you're going on leave. If you're stopping for training or processing at a CONUS base for several days I recommend you take more and mail what you won't need home(along with your cell phone etc.) the day before you depart. 

Locks:  Bring 3-4 locks.  I recommend combination locks (make sure you write down the combo in a secure place you can get to).  If you don't use combination locks, get locks that use the same key and wear the key on your dog tags.

Alarm Watch:  Wear at watch that illuminates at night, has 24 hour time, a stop watch and an alarm. Timex Ironman has several versions that are inexpensive and work well.   

USB Flash (thumb) Drive: Flash Drives are great for saving space and you can use them to store personal data (URLs, addresses, music etc.).  They are also good to store your extra pictures when your camera card is full.

MP3 Player/Case:  A must for anyone deploying these days.  An iPod or MP3 Player will help pass the time with music, video, books on tape and podcasts, especially during movement.  Pelican makes a MP3 Case for PDAs, Electronics etc.   

Portable DVD Player:  You may want to pack a Portable DVD Player or a Personal Media Player to help pass the time when your traveling or have down time. 

Digital Camera:  Don't forget to take a digital camera and take lots of pictures.  Make sure you waterproof it and bring extra storage.  Tiger Direct has good prices and a really good selection of digital cameras.




General Notes

Email:  Make sure you open a hotmail, yahoo or gmail account before you deploy and load the address book with all the email addresses you think you'll need.

Cell Phone Suspension:  Contact your cell phone company and ask them if they will suspend your cell phone for the duration of your deployment.  I saved almost $250 with Sprint. All they needed was a copy of my orders to suspend my phone service while I was deployed. 

Insurance:  Call your insurance company and ask them about reducing your auto coverage while deployed since you won't be driving.  You should be able to save a significant amount on your premium. If you are looking into purchasing additional life insurance I highly recommend Navy Mutual Aid (www.navymutualaid.org). They are a non-profit insurer and also a financial counselor approved by SECNAV. 

Calling Stateside:  Take the DSN numbers to several CONUS base operators near home and the locations you might be calling.  If the number you are calling is local ask the operator to give you a local line.  If not, you should be able to dial a 1-800 calling card number.

Phone Cards:  Make sure you take at least one phone card with plenty of minutes on it so you don't have several numbers (see above).  You can get good deals at Sam's and COSTCO.

Personal Journal:  I kept a daily personal log of everything significant that I did or that happened that day. My father kept a personal record in Vietnam and recommended I do this.  You'll be glad you did.  

Reading: Make time to stay caught up on your personal and professional reading.  Make sure you take Reading Material with you when you travel for down time.

If you've got recommendations please feel free to comment and I'll add them as appropriate. 

Deployment & Tactical Gear: